Shuler, a prominent Blue Dog Democrat and former Washington Redskins quarterback, faced an uphill path to a fourth term after redistricting, which made his western North Carolina-based 11th District seat more conservative.

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“This was not an easy decision. However, I am confident that it is the right decision. It is a decision I have weighed heavily over the past few months,” Shuler said in a statement. “I have always said family comes first, and I never intended to be a career politician. I am ready to refocus my priorities and spend more time at home with my wife Nikol and two young children.”

“I have experienced no greater honor than serving the people of North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District over the past five years,” he added. “I am proud of the work that my office has done to give Western North Carolina a voice in Congress and make life better for the people who entrusted me with the privilege of representing them in Washington.”

His departure means that Democrats will struggle to keep the seat. A handful of Republicans, including real estate investor Ethan Wingfield and District Attorney Jeff Hunt, had lined up to challenge Shuler in the new district and will compete in a May primary.

Shuler had done little to prepare for a challenging reelection bid. Through December, he had raised just $566,000.

Late last year, Shuler raised questions about whether he would retire after he told a local newspaper that being in Congress “gets old. You have to keep fighting and keep fighting, and sometimes, people just don’t listen.”

Earlier this week, the Democrat announced that he would not run for governor in 2012. North Carolina Gov. Bev Purdue, a Democrat, is not seeking reelection.

Shuler told reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday that his next venture would not be in politics.

“I will definitely be in the business world,” he said.

Shuler survived the 2010 midterm bloodbath that decimated the ranks of his fellow Blue Dogs. Soon after, he waged an unsuccessful bid against California Rep. Nancy Pelosi for the top House Democratic leadership slot.

Shuler also said he was confident that the Blue Dogs will continue to thrive despite their dwindling numbers.

“I feel very confident there will be 20 others who will take our place next year,” he said.

The democratic party is now made up primarily of progressive, socialist, comunist, marxist, racist and perverts. The democratic party has left quasi-conservative democrats behind, and it is no longer the party of ones father. The time is approaching when a center party will be born in America. Good luck in your future endeavors Heath.

Well, it just so happens Asheville, NC Councilperson, Cecil Bothwell has been campaigning in Shuler's home district for many months now. Even if Shuler had stayed in the race, Mr. Bothwell's established local voting record on integrity and accountability in government will send him catapulting into that seat come November. Don't discount the power of very strong grass root beginnings, southern style.

As a Democrat I'm so over the Blue Dog Democrat nonsense. They believed in very few of the most basic planks of the Democratic platform. He was a Republican in all but name anyway. So really that seat pretty much stays with the Republican Party.